MERTHYR DO ENOUGH FOR GRITTY WIN
MERTHYR managed to grind out a hard-fought victory in what were atrocious conditions at St Helen’s – and Dale McIntosh felt that the weather may have played into his side’s hands.
“I thought the conditions weren’t really what Swansea would have wanted as they like to play a more expansive game,” he said.
“But I felt both teams tried to play quality rugby and it was always going to be down to small margins and how many errors we both made.
“We know it’s always tough down in Swansea as they are a very passionate club and have been unbeaten at home for a long time.”
The visitors’ pack were dominant in the first half and they took the lead when Rhys Jones chipped to the corner and Craig Locke was driven over the line, with the former converting.
Swansea were handed an opportunity to strike back from the restart when the Merthyr defence were penalised for obstruction.
Josh Thomas kicked to the corner and the decision paid off when the forwards patiently built a maul, with Callum Carson sneaking over for a try under the posts, converted by Thomas.
The home side took a 34th-minute lead through a Josh Thomas penalty after the visitors were penalised for handling in the ruck.
Trailing 10-7 at the break, Merthyr re-took the lead. Shaun O’Rourke was penalised for holding on after the tackle, giving Merthyr a kickable penalty, but Rhys Jones opted to find the corner.
The visitors inched towards the line before Justin James got the ball out wide and Josh Martin slid over for a try in the corner which again was converted.
A scrummaging infringement by the home pack gifted Merthyr a penalty and Rhys Jones chose to kick at goal this time and was rewarded with three points.
The Whites almost scored a late try when Chris Morgans chipped through, but he spilled the ball forward near the line. Play was brought back for a penalty and Josh Thomas chipped to the corner and Callum Bowden was held up over the line.
Swansea gave away a penalty at the scrum five, though, as Merthyr celebrated the win.